OpenAI's Sora Android App Surpasses iOS Downloads and Rolls Out New Features
Key Points
- Android version of Sora downloaded 470,000 times on day one, four times the iOS launch figure.
- Invite‑code requirement removed and app opened to more countries, boosting adoption.
- Expanded cameo feature now includes pets, toys, and generated characters.
- Basic video editing introduced; advanced tools promised for future releases.
- Community‑focused feeds under test to enable localized social interaction.
- Free users get 30 videos per day; Pro users get 100, with pay‑as‑you‑go options.
- Pro users on the web can use storyboarding to plan videos before generation.
OpenAI's AI‑video app Sora has seen a surge in popularity on Android, with the first‑day download count far exceeding its iOS launch. The rapid adoption follows the removal of invite‑code restrictions and an expansion to more countries. Alongside the download spike, OpenAI is adding new creation tools such as expanded cameo options, basic video editing, and storyboarding for Pro users, while also updating its payment structure to offer on‑demand video generations. These moves signal OpenAI's push to broaden Sora's appeal beyond casual creators toward professional users.
Record Android Downloads
Within two days of releasing an Android‑compatible version of its Sora app, OpenAI has logged a striking download volume. Appfigures reported that the Android app was downloaded 470,000 times on its first day, a figure four times higher than the initial iOS launch. The iOS version, while still popular, required an invite code and was limited to North America, making the broader Android availability a key factor in the surge.
New Creation Tools and Cameos
Sora’s recent updates introduce expanded cameo capabilities, allowing users to incorporate a wider range of likenesses into videos. Beyond human figures, the app will soon support cameos of pets, toys, and generated characters from existing Sora content. Seasonal additions, such as Halloween‑themed characters, have already been rolled out, and the generation interface now highlights trending cameos in real‑time.
Editing and Social Features
The app now offers basic video editing, starting with the ability to stitch clips together directly within Sora. OpenAI’s head of Sora, Bill Peebles, indicated that more advanced editing tools are on the roadmap, aiming to transform the platform from short, one‑off clips to a suite suitable for professional creators. Socially, the team is experimenting with community‑focused feeds, enabling channels for universities, workplaces, hobbies, or sports teams to foster localized interaction.
Payment Plans and Pro Capabilities
Alongside feature expansions, OpenAI updated its payment model. Free users can generate up to 30 videos per day, while Pro users have a limit of 100. Users who reach their limits can purchase additional video generations for $4 per ten videos. Pro users on the web also gain access to storyboarding, a tool that lets creators plan video sequences before generation, mirroring professional filmmaking workflows.
Future Outlook
These developments reflect OpenAI’s strategy to broaden Sora’s user base, catering to both casual creators seeking quick, shareable videos and professionals looking for longer, more polished content. By removing invite barriers, expanding cameo options, adding editing functions, and refining the payment structure, OpenAI positions Sora as a versatile AI‑video platform poised for continued growth across mobile and web ecosystems.